Digital Camera advice

[eb0i]

I'm in the market to buy a new digital camera as my old 2.0 mp sony digital is not going to last anymore.

My price range goes up to about $800. And I really want a camera with huge optical zoom capabilities and 3.2 mp to 5.0 mp....really I only need about 3.2mp though as I don't plan on printing anything bigger than 4x6's. So I've narrowed my search down to these two "mini slr" cameras. But after reading the pros and cons I'm having a hard time deciding.

The first camera is the Canon Powershot S1 IS:
Specs
pros:
3.2mp (all I need)
Image Stabilizer
10x Optical Zoom
Swivel LCD

Cons:
No AF illuminator so hard to focus on low lighting pictures.
takes 4 AA batteries
small 1.5 inch lcd

The second camera is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5:
Specs
pros:
12x Optical Zoom
Battery and Charger included
has AF illuminator
image stabilizer
5.0mp
1.8 inch LCD

cons:
It's a panasonic and I'm not quite sure how that will pan out for me in the long run. Are they a trust worthy camera mfg?
No swivel LCD

Now I picked two point and shoots but I really don't want them because I want a higher powered optical zoom (as I find digital zoom is not very appealing to me).

Canon Powershot SD400 Digital Elph
Specs
Pros:
small and compact with a ton of features
rechargeable battery

Cons:
3x Optical zoom (I want more!)

Canon Powershot A95
Specs
Pros:
swivel LCD
Can buy add on lens hoods and lenses
More manual control (or so I think) than the sd400

Cons:
No charger or rechargeable batteries included
3x optical zoom

Please help me on what you think. Especially on buying a panasonic brand camera


thanks!

[C4S]

FZ20 is a very very good camera .. ( ~$750 ) I love using it!

FZ5 should be good too .. ^_^

Pan offere amazing great zoom lens! even nicer then Canon/Nikon one .. IMO ..

[xkon]

I'll say Canon, because Canon rocks.

Ben, tell the guy!

[Ben]

You should be able to get a Canon Powershot G5 for 800 bucks, and this is a great camera. awesome zoom capabilities and 7MP.

Stay Canon, you wont be disappointed. they just work.

[eb0i]

So which one would be better in your guys opinion? The A95 or the S1 IS?

[C4S]

U can look at mine ..

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?threadid=82631


10X Nikon ED zoom .. and 8.2 M ..

and .. It is a Nikon!

[FiveFreshFish]

Originally posted by eb0i
Canon Powershot SD400 Digital Elph
Specs
Pros:
small and compact with a ton of features
rechargeable battery

Cons:
3x Optical zoom (I want more!)

This will be my next camera. I had a chance to use a Canon IXY 55 = Japanese version of SD400. It's about 1/3 thinner than my Canon S230 and has a 2" screen.

For me, the small size trumps all other shortcomings because I take my camera everywhere.

[eb0i]

Originally posted by Ben
You should be able to get a Canon Powershot G5 for 800 bucks, and this is a great camera. awesome zoom capabilities and 7MP.

Stay Canon, you wont be disappointed. they just work.

Did you mean the G6? Because I went to Best Buy today and bought the last one they had (demo) for a great price!
I'm excited!

Originally posted by C4S






U can look at mine ..

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?threadid=82631


10X Nikon ED zoom .. and 8.2 M ..

and .. It is a Nikon!

thanks for the offer, but now i have a canon

[Ben]

Yes, G6, sorry, fat fingers =P

[eb0i]

Wow the G6 is incredible!

[mb3k]

Although not all Sony products live up to their hype, I really recommend another one of their digital cameras (pictures are sharp and clear).
I know it might not be in your price range, but the DSCF828 (8MP) is an amazing machine (I've used it, and wow). I currently have the DSCS85 (4MP) and it's been great to me, clear pictures and such.